title: Permeability of gingival sulcular epithelium in the development of scorbutic gingivitis.
abstract: Young adult nonhuman primates were initially fed an ascorbic-acid free diet and, subsequently, a diet with a suboptimal level of the vitamin. Following approximately 12 weeks of this dietary regime, five of seven experimental animals of the gingival sulcular epithelium to 3H-inulin, but not to 14C-butyric acid or 14C-urea, had increased significantly (+86%, P less than 0.01) in the experimental group as compared to ad libitum or pair-fed controls. This defect in the intercellular permeability barrier of the sulcular epithelium could have contributed to the pathogenesis of scorbutic gingivitis.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005881:Gingiva / Q000378:metabolism*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008297:Male; D010539:Permeability; D012614:Scurvy / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D001205:Ascorbic Acid